In the original album version, the song segues from "Have a Cigar" as if a radio had been tuned away from one station, through several others (including a radio play and one playing Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony), and finally to a new station where "Wish You Were Here" is beginning. Gilmour performed the intro on a twelve-string guitar, processed to sound like it was playing through an old transistor radio, and then overdubbed a fuller-sounding acoustic guitar solo. This passage was mixed to sound as though the guitarist was sitting in a room, playing along with the radio; it also contains a whine that slowly changes pitch—emulating the heterodyne between two drifting AM radio signals.
The intro riff is repeated several times and reprised when Gilmour plays further solos with scat singing accompaniment. At the end of the recorded song, the final solo crossfades with wind sound effects (reminiscent of "One of These Days" from the 1971 album Meddle), and finally segues into the second section of the multi-part suite "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’d love to, love to, love to, baby you know
Ooh ooh ooh ooh walk with me, Sydney
I’d love to, love to, love to, love to
Love to
Walk with me, Sydney, it’s a dark night
Come on, come on, hold me tightWell, I’d love to, love to, love to
Flat feet, fallen arches
Baggy knees and a broken frame
Meningitis, peritonitis
DTs and a washed-out brain
Ooh ooh ooh ooh roll with me, Sydney
I’d love to, love to, love to, baby you know
Ooh ooh ooh ooh roll with me, Sydney
I’d love to, love to, love to, love to
Love to
Roll with me, Sydney, it’s a dark night
Roll me, roll me, roll me high
Well, I’d love to, love to, love to
But I got
Flat feet, fallen arches
Baggy knees and a broken frame
Meningitis, peritonitis
DTs and a washed-out brain
Ooh ooh ooh ooh walk with me, Sydney
I’d love to, love to, love to, baby you know
Ooh ooh ooh ooh walk with me, SydneyI’d love to, love to, love to, love to
Love to
Walk with me, Sydney, it’s a dark night
Come on, come on, and hold me tight
Well, I’d love to, love to, love to
But I got
Flat feet, fallen arches
Baggy knees and a broken frame
Meningitis, peritonitis
DTs and a washed-out brain
The lyrics of Pink Floyd’s song, The Happiest Days of Our Lives, draws attention to the experiences of children in school and the teachers who could be cruel to them. The opening lines of the song, “You! Yes, you! Stand still laddy,” portrays an authoritative tone, with the voice issuing commands for the listener to stand still. This message reinforces the harsh treatment that many children experienced, with teachers demanding obedience and conformity in their classrooms.
The rest of the song speaks to the many ways that children were hurt by their teachers, including ridicule and derision. The lyrics describe how teachers exposed the weaknesses of their students, even those that the students carefully tried to hide. Despite the cruelty of the classroom, the song suggests that there might have been a level of satisfaction or even revenge for some of the tormentors. The final line, “When they got home at night, their fat and psychopathic wives would thrash them within inches of their lives,” suggests that even those with power could find themselves on the receiving end of violence.
The Happiest Days of Our Lives is a powerful critique of the educational system and the abuses of power that can occur within it. The lyrics suggest that the classroom is a place where children can be victimized and traumatized, and they serve as a warning against the dangers of unchecked authority.
Line by Line Meaning
You! Yes, you! Stand still laddy
Attention seeking by authority
When we grew up and went to school
Reflecting on school days
There were certain teachers who would
A tale of specific individuals
Hurt the children any way they could
Malicious actions under authority
By pouring their derision
Infliction of emotional pain
Upon anything we did
Criticizing every action taken
Exposing every weakness
Highlighting flaws and vulnerabilities
However carefully hidden by the kids
Despite attempts to conceal shortcomings
But in the town it was well known
Community awareness of wrongdoing
When they got home at night, their fat and
Irony in the abusers' misery
Psychopathic wives would thrash them
Abusers face retribution at home
Within inches of their lives
Viciousness of the abusers' punishment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maryanneandrade7796
So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell
Blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
How I wish
How I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found?
The same old fears
Wish you were here
@anthonydickinson5913
Wish You Were Here.
So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
And did they get you to trade
Your heros for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.
@bradvan316
I still remember my dad playing this on his guitar. When i hear this song, it just goes on my mind about my dad. I wish he was hear again. I miss you dad (1958) - (2016)
@danielregisalmeida8106
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@xpilipinas
Rest in Paradise to your old man.
@TranceJedi
Close your eyes.... He's still here ...
@crystalsavery5430
BradVan316 pink Floyd where always my dad's favourite band, this was always my personal favourite and like you, I wish he was here. Only got taken just over a month ago. Always will be with us.
@christianwimmer2544
Cy
@sjohnson1093
Remembering my bonus dad today. He so introduced me to Pink Floyd 40 years ago. Today is his funeral. Shine on you crazy diamond
@theodorostharouniatis6069
By this I remember my nephew passed away with 53 years of age who lived this song especial
@arturbranco7300
Sending love to you both beautiful beings 🙏🏾
Thank you
@radeknowakowski6205
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